We’re all the way down to the ultimate eight within the . There are the regulars, like , France and Spain, and there are some contemporary faces with and .
France is the one workforce to win all 5 of its matches with no need additional time and has been on a heater. He is just one purpose shy of within the heading into Thursday’s tilt with . might be seeking to attain their third straight semifinal and change into solely the third workforce to advance to the ultimate 4 three tournaments in a row.
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With a view to break down France, the will want their stars to be at their finest. Morocco is the primary African nation to advance to the ultimate eight in back-to-back World Cups and definitely aren’t anticipating to be despatched house at this stage.
Who will transfer on to subsequent week’s World Cup semifinals?
CLICK TO ENLARGE: World Cup bracket heading into the quarterfinals
Thursday, July 9, 4 p.m. ET (Fox): (Boston)
Friday, July 10, 3 p.m. ET (Fox): (Los Angeles)
Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. ET (Fox): (Miami)
Saturday, July 11, 9 p.m. ET (Fox): (Kansas Metropolis)
Live14 updates
Sean Leahy
Mbappé enters the quarterfinals tied for second within the Golden Boot race with Erling Haaland on seven objectives.
Sean Leahy
Saibari exited the Spherical of 16 match in opposition to Canada after 22 minutes with a hamstring subject.
“Everybody’s obtainable, besides Saibari, with the match coming too early for him, though he is not out for the remainder of the match, I hope,” . “Everybody’s obtainable, though we in fact will solely choose the gamers who’re at 100%.”
Saibari has been an impactful participant for Morocco on this World Cup. He scored the Atlas Lions’ first purpose agianst Brazil, the game-winning purpose in opposition to Scotland and the tying purpose in opposition to Haiti.
He would later rating the successful penalty kick within the Spherical of 32 win over the Netherlands.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 4: Ismael Saibari #11 of Morocco drives the ball through the FIFA World Cup 2026 Spherical Of 16 match between Canada and Morocco at Houston Stadium on July 4, 2026 in Houston, United States. (Photograph by Omar Vega/Getty Photos)
(Omar Vega by way of Getty Photos)Thu, July 9, 2026 at 7:00 AM PDT
Paul Carr
The World Cup quarterfinals are upon us, and there are not any extra Cinderellas, until you need to rely steady-but-not-spectacular Switzerland. Getting by way of a bunch stage and two knockout rounds with out being a legit contender is sort of unattainable.
With eight groups left, we’re all the way down to the very best of the very best, and the margins are high quality. One bounce, whistle or stumble could be the distinction between a legendary upset and an embarrassing end result.
The bets are tougher, too, with groups extra evenly matched and matchups harder to investigate. Groups could resort to totally different ways when pressed with the desperation of advancing or going house. All of these elements make for the fantastic drama of a World Cup, crammed with ache and heartache for groups, followers and bettors.
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Thu, July 9, 2026 at 6:15 AM PDT
Yahoo Sports activities Workers
4 years in the past, France got here out on high on this matchup and superior to the 2022 World Cup closing in opposition to Argentina. What’s in retailer this time round?
Kylian Mbappé and Co. have breezed by way of the World Cup thus far, successful all three group stage matches and each of their knockout stage video games to get right here. Les Bleus might be seeking to attain their third straight semifinal and to change into solely the third workforce to advance to the ultimate 4 three tournaments in a row.
With a view to break down France, the Atlas Lions will want their stars to be at their finest. That features Brahim Díaz, who has extra purpose contributions (10) of any Morocco participant since January’s Africa Cup of Nations, and Achraf Hakimi, who has 15 likelihood creations within the match.
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(Photograph by FIFA/FIFA by way of Getty Photos)
Chris Cwik
Following over Brazil on Sunday, Norway was imagined to have a protracted relaxation forward of its quarterfinals match vs. England on the 2026 World Cup. However that layoff has been something however restful for Staff Norway to this point.
Simply days after his workforce’s win over Brazil, Norway coach Stale Solbakken mentioned “” have been battling an sickness. Norway has handled some sort of ailment all through the occasion, as and have already missed video games on the occasion resulting from illness.
Along with sickness spreading amongst workforce members, Norway additionally determined to alter resorts simply days forward of their match vs. England. The workforce spent only one evening of their resort — The Dalmar in Ft. Lauderdale — reportedly , per stories. There was reportedly development exterior the constructing, which led to complaints from gamers.
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Jeff Eisenberg
One other humbling loss begs the query: If the U.S. cannot severely contend for a World Cup now, will it ever make that leap? Eight instances in 9 World Cup appearances since 1990, the U.S. has did not advance past the Spherical of 16. Solely in 2002 did the Individuals make the World Cup quarterfinals, famously struggling a controversial 1-0 loss to Germany after .
The commonest clarification for the USMNT’s incapacity to stage up is that this nation’s greatest, quickest, strongest athletes usually pursue different sports activities in addition to soccer. , “Each 4 years we take the very best 11 athletes in each different nation and put them up in opposition to the 4000th finest athletes in America, and see if we are able to win. It is a loopy train.”
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Wed, July 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM PDT
Steven Goff
4 summers from now, assuming qualification is not going to journey it up, the U.S. will enter the centennial unfold throughout six nations on two continents searching for to take that elusive subsequent step.
Following — the fifth loss in six tries since 1994 they’ve departed at that time — the Individuals will catch their breath and start pivoting to the 2030 competitors in Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
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Christian Pulisic of the USA is consoled by Mauricio Pochettino, throughout their loss to Belgium. (John Dorton/USSF/Getty Photos)
Nick Bromberg
Simply eight of 48 World Cup groups stay.
The quarterfinals start on Thursday after the primary day with no recreation because the match kicked off. This is how we predict the 4 matchups stack up after a incredible Spherical of 16.
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Wed, July 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM PDT
Ross Dellenger
We do not know when the tip will come for this Argentina workforce till it truly occurs. All indicators pointed to Tuesday’s recreation being Messi’s final aggressive match in that famed blue and white-striped package with 20 minutes remaining.
However that is clearly a workforce that continues to defy the chances. And given who looms on the trail to being repeat champions, Argentina can be well-served to cease residing on the sting.
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Lionel Messi of Argentina waves throughout warmups earlier than a World Cup match. (Hector Vivas/Getty Photos)
(Hector Vivas – FIFA by way of Getty Photos)Wed, July 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
For USMNT followers who’ve gotten over their grief — or those that hope to beat it by watching much more soccer — it is an ideal time to choose a brand new, arbitrary workforce to root for within the subsequent spherical. Eight groups stay, six of them UEFA, one CAF and one CONMEBOL.
With regards to choosing a second-chance workforce, no motive is just too small: Perhaps one nation holds your loved ones’s historical past, otherwise you like the colour of their jerseys, or perhaps you are simply actually uninterested in the groups that all the time win.
All eight are worthy of your honorary help, however if you happen to want them, listed here are a couple of causes to cheer on every of the remaining groups.
Wed, July 8, 2026 at 2:40 PM PDT
Paul Carr
After 96 video games, the is all the way down to eight groups, a mixture of conventional powers, rising applications and just lately dependable squads.
With solely eight groups to rank, there isn’t any want for tiers. This can be a easy order of how doubtless I feel every workforce is to win the match, by way of a mix of high quality and the trail forward.
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France gamers have fun after a World Cup win. (Getty Photos)
(ANP by way of Getty Photos)Wed, July 8, 2026 at 1:45 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports activities Workers
Lionel Messi was considered one of 29 gamers named to the MLS All-Star workforce on Wednesday. The Inter Miami star leads the league with 20 purpose contributions and is tied for second with 12 objectives in 14 video games.
Messi, at present with Argentina as they put together for a World Cup quarterfinal match in opposition to Switzerland, was considered one of 11 gamers voted on to the roster. Sixteen others, together with Messi’s worldwide and membership teammate Rodrigo De Paul, have been chosen by MLS All-Star head coach Dean Smith. Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea and Crimson Bull New York’s Julian Corridor have been added as commissioner’s picks.
Since becoming a member of MLS, Messi has not taken half in an All-Star Sport after injuring his ankle throughout Copa América in 2024 after which utilizing the day without work to relaxation as a substitute of taking part in in final season’s recreation.
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Argentina gamers throw Lionel Messi into the air following a win over Egypt. (Wealthy von Biberstein/Getty Photos)
(Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
Sean Leahy
The 2 groups that might be within the World Cup closing on July 19 at MetLife Stadium may have been hunkered down with their teammates for practically seven weeks. That’s many flights throughout North America and quite a few nights in resorts away from their household and mates, however for good motive. This match solely comes round as soon as each 4 years and gamers have solely so many alternatives to be part of one.
How groups strategy restoration not just for physique, but in addition for thoughts will tremendously influence their capability to compete within the grind that’s the World Cup.
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Wed, July 8, 2026 at 1:24 PM PDT
There are not any matches immediately. The quarterfinals will start on Thursday with France taking part in Morocco.
